Birmingham City v Blackpool

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Main Interview

Jordan James

BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

M

any a father-son relationship has been built on a footballing terrace. The young are often influenced by what has come before them, with traditions and superstitions being passed through families like possessions.

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Although it was not just memories of games that were passed through the James family of Hereford, but rather raw footballing ability.

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Jordan James is a rising star in Blues’ esteemed academy. After earning a two-year scholarship in 2019, he is currently part of the First Team fold. He made his debut against Bristol City, played 45 minutes versus Hull City and picked up further game time away to Coventry City as Lee Bowyer called on the young guns amidst an availability shortage.

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What makes the 17-year-old unique is that his Dad Tony enjoyed a football career for as many years as his son has been alive. James Snr made over 500 appearances as a centre-back for teams including Hereford United, Burton Albion and Newport County, but has now passed the mantle onto his son who is shining at St. Andrew’s.

Web: www.bcfc.com Store: www.blues.clubstore.co.uk

As his progress continues, Blues News caught up with the Welsh youth international to find out how he is settling into First Team duties.

Jordan, thanks for talking to us. I suppose the last few weeks can only be described as a bit of a rollercoaster?

I suppose you could say that [laughing]! I have been through a lot of ups and downs, but it makes the last few years of work worth it – that is for sure. I have travelled backwards and forwards between Birmingham and Hereford all this time, but this is where I want to be, and I am determined to enjoy it as well.

Does getting the taste for senior action make you want it more regularly?

I would be lying if I said I didn’t want it before that to be fair [laughing]!

But honestly, being in and around the first team, feeling the environment and getting pushed even further – it really does make me want to be on that pitch.

You come from a footballing family – your Dad Tony was a good player in his own right?

Absolutely, he had a long career and did really well. He has shown me the way and is my inspiration. My Dad

is the reason why I have gone into football and why I want to play.

But actually, more than just being a footballer, the way he acts has taught me a lot. He is a very sociable person and it has shown me how to be polite and how to work with people in the right way.

After your debut against Bristol City did it feel good to get a further 45 minutes under your belt at Hull?

It was great to get the opportunity to play for that long. With ten men it was difficult, but I feel I can do the dirty side too – the tackling and defending - and I tried to show that.

What has Lee Bowyer had to say to you?

He has been great. As a younger player, he has told me to move the ball quickly, express myself and show people what I can do. I have really enjoyed working with him.

Have any of the senior lads given you some advice?

They have all been absolutely brilliant, but Gary Gardner has been really helpful. As soon as I stepped up, he has given me pointers and great advice. As a senior pro, he knows what I can improve on and I can’t thank him enough for his help.

6 | BLUES NEWS

BCFC BOARD Directors: Wenqing Zhao, Chun Kong Yiu, Gannan Zheng, Yao Wang, Honorary Vice President: Mike Wiseman

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

Neil Critchley

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

Head Coach: Lee Bowyer Assistant Head Coach: Mark Kennedy First Team Development Coach: Paul Harsley Goalkeeping Coach: Andy Marshall Head of Physical Performance: Sean Rush Chief Medical Officer: Roddy Macdonald Head of Performance Analysis: Carl Blakemore

BLUES NEWS | 7

IN THIS ISSUE IN THE DUGOUT

Technical Director: Craig Gardner

www.bcfc.com

DOB: 18 October 1978 Appointed: March 2020 One of only 16 coaches worldwide to have obtained UEFA’s gold standard elite badge, Critchley put it to good use during his first full season at the helm in guiding Blackpool to an unlikely promotion.

ONE TO WATCH

A former Crewe Alexandra Academy Manager before coaching Liverpool’s Under-18s and Under-23s, the 43-year-old put his reputation in his own hands in March 2020 in deciding to leave Anfield’s comforts for a first solo appointment.

Kenny Dougall ATTACKING MIDFIELDER DOB: 7 May 1993 The Australia international wrote himself into Blackpool’s folklore with a brace in last season’s League One Play-Off Final victory.

As well as sealing the Seasiders’ return to the Championship, it was also the first time since Stan Mortensen’s hat-trick in the 1953 FA Cup Final that a Blackpool player had scored more than once in a match at Wembley.

The 28-year-old, the first Aussie to find the back of the net under the Arch for an English club, has made a habit of earning promotions in his first campaign with a new employer. He helped Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam achieve promotion to the Eredivisie in his first season, then achieved League One elevation in 2018/19 during a maiden term with Barnsley. The Queenslander made it a career treble last season with Blackpool and has become an influential presence in central midfield at Bloomfield Road since his 2020 arrival.

The roll of the career dice has come up trumps. Critchley steered Blackpool from a lower mid-table League One side to Wembley glory and now his reinvigorated tea are holding their own in the Championship.

CRITCHLEY PROVING BLACKPOOL’S ROCK

F

rom Premier League glamour to League One grind, fan protests and enduring receivership to the optimism accompanying 2019’s takeover, the last decade has been a tumultuous one for Blackpool.

Last season the Seasiders began their revival. They won 15 of their final 26 League One fixtures to finish third, demolished Oxford United 6-3 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals then beat Lincoln City

His form has not gone unnoticed by the Socceroos. Dougall played three minutes of Australia’s first game back on home turf in 764 days in the goalless draw with Saudi Arabia during November’s international break and will want to add to his four international caps in the hope of earning a place at next year’s World Cup. BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

Match Report

Caylan Vickers took advantage of a spilt ball by City ‘keeper Alfie Brooks to tap home from close range in the 15th minute and Ajani Giscombe doubled the visitors’ advantage with a finish into the roof of the net five minutes later.

The Berkshire side found their third in the 32nd minute when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan rounded off a counter-attack with a precise, low finish to give the hosts little chance to come away with a result.

Nonetheless, Blues remained positive and were able to find a late consolation goal through secondhalf substitute Ben Beresford.

Speaking to BCFC.com following the

match, Martyn Olorenshaw shared his frustration with the defeat.

He said: “A really disappointing afternoon. I thought we started the game really well and settled into what we wanted to do. We looked good and then gave away the first goal which just rocked us. From that point we just capitulated and that’s really frustrating.

“The second and the third goal were counter-attacks which we spoke about all week because we knew that that’s what they [Reading] are good at, and we didn’t stop them.

It was a tough first-half and by the time you’re 0-3 down, you’re out of the game almost immediately.

“We didn’t really get the reaction that we wanted second-half so that’s disappointing.”

With a busy schedule to come before Christmas, the Lead Under18s Coach explained what needs to be worked on to avoid similar outcomes in the near future.

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lues are thrilled to announce that George Hall has signed a professional contract with the Football Club.

Reacclimatising to Championship life has not been plain sailing. A difficult opening month saw just one win from a possible seven during August as a dozen summer signings settled in.

Yet a surprise success over Fulham in September galvanised the side and underlined that Blackpool were more than equipped to hold their own in the second tier.

He received the Manager of the Season trophy at the North West Football Awards for his efforts but admitted there was more to come, telling the Blackpool Gazette: “The reason why I left Liverpool was to taste senior football management, the highs and the lows on that journey.

“Winning the play-offs was a fantastic day for everyone associated with Blackpool and we wanted to kick on again in the Championship. I am a big believer in just looking after yourselves and taking control of what you can control, which is what we try to do every week.”

Critchley’s crew have won six of their next dozen games, including impressive results on the road at Middlesbrough, Reading and a narrow victory at

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 11

“How we react to stuff, how we react to adversity when things don’t go our way”, he said. “I just felt today the team didn’t react the way we would expect them to and want them to, so I think we just need to build on that.

I like technical players, ones who aren’t afraid to carry the ball forward and be brave. My main aim is to create an environment that allows the players to excel and to enjoy it.

“Obviously delighted with our goal and the way it came, the way we worked it. But it’s difficult to take many positives from today.”

“We want to bring smiles to faces and bring that enjoyment back. If you have players who are enjoying themselves, that’s when you will get the best out of them.

The defeat sees Blues in 13th place ahead of a trip to fellow West Midlands side Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend in the Premier League Cup.

“I want to make them better as players individually, which will then make us better as a team. They are a passionate group who want to get better, so we want to bring that belief back into them.

Blues: Brooks, Nguepissi, Barrett, Ogor, Patterson (Beresford 69), Oduka, Manton, Carsley, Bellingham, Rushton, Williams.

“If you can create that community and family feel to the Club, it will only help the team moving forward. We want the fans to be proud of the team and to help us succeed.”

Substitutes not used: Mayo, Willis, Ellis, Mazwi.

Booking: Rushton 34, Manton 57.

Goals: Beresford 84.

With a busy schedule to come before Christmas, the Lead Under-18s Coach explained what needs to be worked on to avoid similar outcomes in the near future.

The talented attacking midfielder has agreed terms with Blues as he continues his impressive development in the Second City, having initially joined the Club at the age of seven and caught the eye whilst rising through the Academy ranks.

A

fans’ favourite during his playing days for the Men’s team, Darren Carter knows all too well what it means to be a Blue and has now returned to the Club as Blues Women’s Interim Head Coach.

The 37-year-old was announced in his new role after the team’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League meeting with Chelsea and will be supported by Marcus Bignot.

Now aged 17, Hall has already made eight appearances between the Club’s Under-23s and Under-18s teams this season, scoring once for each side across over 500 minutes of action to date.

Speaking on his appointment, Carter said: “For me personally, with the journey that I’m on at the moment with coaching, it was one that I couldn’t miss out on.

Such an impression saw him called up by England Under-18s in October, impressing as he featured away to the Netherlands, before further appearances this month during victories over Belgium and Portugal for Ryan Garry’s side in the Pinatar Tournament.

“It’s a chance for me to keep learning and developing as a coach, I’m delighted to be here. Whenever I come back to Blues, it feels like home.”

“We didn’t really get the reaction that we wanted second-half so that’s disappointing.”

24 | BLUES NEWS

of 2026 and after putting pen to paper he said: “I am absolutely delighted. It has been an immensely happy time for me at Blackpool. We have already shared some success. However, we are ambitious, and I feel that we still have further development to come.”

Darren Carter named Blues Women’s Interim Head Coach

Under 18s

lues Under-18s were beaten by Reading in the Premier League South on Saturday lunchtime.

The Royals scored three goals within the space of 17 first-half minutes at Wast Hills Training Ground to put the contest out of reach by the break.

Head Coach Neil Critchley has been the catalyst for the club’s upward trajectory, as well as being credited for the reconnect between the Lancashire side and their long-suffering fanbase.

Surpassing expectations has not ceased a level up though. The former Liverpool Under-23s boss has Blackpool ninth in the Championship table and within striking distance of another playoff assault.

With the 43-year-old’s stature in FY1 as high as the Blackpool Tower at present, it was little surprise that chairman Simon Sadler wasted no time in tying him down to a new deal earlier this month. Critchley will remain at Bloomfield Road until the summer

10 | BLUES NEWS

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at Wembley to return to the Sky Bet Championship after a six-year absence.

Bignot, who previously managed Blues Women, has returned to the Club to BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

www.bcfc.com

work alongside Carter and will provide a wealth of experience to the current backroom team.

Commenting on the sizable contribution Bignot will bring to both the Club and team, Carter explained: “Marcus is huge in terms of his experience. He knows the Club really well and had a lot of success here with the Women’s team so to have him here is fantastic.

Tickets are on sale now for Darren Carter’s first game in charge against Manchester City and can be purchased online at www.eticketing.co.uk/bcfc/, by calling 0121 772 0101 and choosing option 2, or at the St. Andrew’s ticket office. The Main Stand ticket office will also be open on matchday from two hours prior to kick-off which is at 2pm.

“Tony [Elliott] and Daniel [Mastraszek] are both good people and are passionate about what we want to do here, so we have a good team. We all want to drive the team forward and bring some success.”

In his playing days, Carter was known for his ability to carry the ball forward and create opportunities, and this matches the way he wants his team to play.

He said: “I want to be on the front foot.

BLUES NEWS | 25

05 LEE BOWYER 06 Jordan James 09 The Opposition: blackpool 15 Harlee Dean 18 72@50 22 community 23 player sponsorship 24 under-18s match report 25 Darren Carter 26 action replay 29 Stats 30 supporters’ messages

First Team Analyst: Dan Millard Under-23s Head Coach: Steve Spooner Academy Director: Paul Williams Head Physiotherapist: Pete Shaw First Team Physiotherapists: Dave Hunt & Dave Singleton Club Secretary: Zoe Jones www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 3

Welcoming

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University Hospitals Birmingham Charity

or today’s matchday, our main charity partner, University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB), will be in attendance, shouting about the lifesaving work the charity helps to fund – from new transplant centres to mental health provisions.

Across today you will spot the UHB logos on warm-up tops, on our website and on our big screen. You may also be sat next to one of the dedicated NHS staff who have taken up our exclusive discounted ticket price for UHB workers, and Principal Partners BoyleSports has kindly donated its Kop box for use by doctors, nurses and fundraisers.

And whilst the hard-working staff are treated to a day at Blues, the charity wants to shine a spotlight on how fans can support children in hospital this Christmas, and potentially scoop a cash prize in the process. With £15, the charity can treat a sick child to special gift, making a real difference to a Christmas spent on a ward.

Liam (pictured) is a Specialist Paediatric Therapeutic Radiographer. He and his team look after many children every year who have sadly been diagnosed with cancer.

UHB Charity helps Liam to bring Christmas to the hospital every year by funding a special Christmas toy for the children which makes a huge difference after a challenging day in radiotherapy. Liam tells the children that because they have been a superstar during their treatment, Santa has visited early just for them. Liam says that seeing their faces light up when they hear this is always the highlight of his day.

The charity is not asking for normal donations – instead it is encouraging people to buy 15 of its lottery tickets for its bumper draw on Friday 17 December, where the top prize is £2,500. Supporters can purchase as many tickets as they wish by following the QR code found below.

4 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

Lee

A

BOWYER s always, I would like to start off by welcoming Neil Critchley, his players, staff, and everyone connected with Blackpool Football Club, to St. Andrew’s for today’s game.

We are now more than a third of the way into the season and Neil’s side have been more than competitive back in the Championship.

They have carried their momentum from last season into this one and even in the games they have lost this year, it has usually been by the odd goal.

We know we will have to be somewhere near our best again today if we are to get a positive result.

When I reflect on our past couple of results, I do not think I can ask much more from the players in terms of their effort and commitment. They are an honest group and will always go out and put a shift in for the Club.

Our injury list has been well documented and we are having to patch players up and ask them to go again. Whilst it is not ideal, we cannot feel sorry for ourselves. I believe we have enough quality in the side to hurt teams at the top end of the pitch and our clean sheet record speaks for itself.

Hull City was hugely frustrating for a couple of reasons. Everyone in the stadium has seen the ball roll out of play for their first goal, except for those who matter, and those are the officials. Everyone is expecting a whistle, and even the Hull City players, so we were badly let down on the day.

That said, I cannot excuse the red card. It has been dealt with internally, Gary knows he has made a mistake and it gives us a lot to do with more than half of the game still remaining.

www.bcfc.com

On to Tuesday night, and I thought our point was a deserved one. Of course, Coventry City are a side in form, who are especially good at home, and they ask a lot of you when they have the ball. I thought we stuck to our shape well and when they had spells of pressure, the backline and Matty [Matija Sarkic] stook up to the task.

We have had a shout for a penalty which was not given and then with ten minutes remaining it is backs to the wall because of another red card. You see those tackles up and down the country, at all levels of football, every single week. As cynical as it is, it has been and always will be a yellow card.

There was no endangering a player, he was not out of control and he was nowhere near being the last man.

So again, it is another one that, in my opinion, the officials got wrong.

That said, I am proud of how the boys dug in late on and it was another step in the development of our young players like Marcel Oakley and Jordan James who are being asked to contribute of late.

Today is all about being back in front of our supporters, making sure the same levels of effort and commitment are there but adding that bit of quality on the ball which we hope can make the difference.

Thank you for your continued support.

Keep Right On, Lee Bowyer

BLUES NEWS | 5

Main Interview

Jordan James

M

any a father-son relationship has been built on a footballing terrace. The young are often influenced by what has come before them, with traditions and superstitions being passed through families like possessions.

Although it was not just memories of games that were passed through the James family of Hereford, but rather raw footballing ability.

Jordan James is a rising star in Blues’ esteemed academy. After earning a two-year scholarship in 2019, he is currently part of the First Team fold. He made his debut against Bristol City, played 45 minutes versus Hull City and picked up further game time away to Coventry City as Lee Bowyer called on the young guns amidst an availability shortage.

What makes the 17-year-old unique is that his Dad Tony enjoyed a football career for as many years as his son has been alive. James Snr made over 500 appearances as a centre-back for teams including Hereford United, Burton Albion and Newport County, but has now passed the mantle onto his son who is shining at St. Andrew’s.

6 | BLUES NEWS

As his progress continues, Blues News caught up with the Welsh youth international to find out how he is settling into First Team duties.

Jordan, thanks for talking to us. I suppose the last few weeks can only be described as a bit of a rollercoaster?

I suppose you could say that [laughing]! I have been through a lot of ups and downs, but it makes the last few years of work worth it – that is for sure. I have travelled backwards and forwards between Birmingham and Hereford all this time, but this is where I want to be, and I am determined to enjoy it as well.

Does getting the taste for senior action make you want it more regularly?

I would be lying if I said I didn’t want it before that to be fair [laughing]!

But honestly, being in and around the First Team, feeling the environment and getting pushed even further – it really does make me want to be on that pitch.

You come from a footballing family – your Dad Tony was a good player in his own right?

Absolutely, he had a long career and did really well. He has shown me the way and is my inspiration. My Dad

is the reason why I have gone into football and why I want to play.

But actually, more than just being a footballer, the way he acts has taught me a lot. He is a very sociable person and it has shown me how to be polite and how to work with people in the right way.

After your debut against Bristol City did it feel good to get a further 45 minutes under your belt at Hull?

It was great to get the opportunity to play for that long. With ten men it was difficult, but I feel I can do the dirty side too – the tackling and defending - and I tried to show that.

What has Lee Bowyer had to say to you?

He has been great. As a younger player, he has told me to move the ball quickly, express myself and show people what I can do. I have really enjoyed working with him.

Have any of the senior lads given you some advice?

They have all been absolutely brilliant, but Gary Gardner has been really helpful. As soon as I stepped up, he has given me pointers and great advice. As a senior pro, he knows what I can improve on and I can’t thank him enough for his help.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 7

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Fact file

Nickname: The Seasiders Formed: 1887 Stadium: Bloomfield Road Stadium Capacity: 16,616 Head Coach: Neil Critchley Last season finish: 3rd in League One

The Opposition

blackpool

ONE TO WATCH

Kenny Dougall ATTACKING MIDFIELDER DOB: 7 May 1993 The Australia international wrote himself into Blackpool’s folklore with a brace in last season’s League One Play-Off Final victory.

As well as sealing the Seasiders’ return to the Championship, it was also the first time since Stan Mortensen’s hat-trick in the 1953 FA Cup Final that a Blackpool player had scored more than once in a match at Wembley.

The 28-year-old, the first Aussie to find the back of the net under the Arch for an English club, has made a habit of earning promotions in his first campaign with a new employer. He helped Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam achieve promotion to the Eredivisie in his first season, then achieved League One elevation in 2018/19 during a maiden term with Barnsley. The Queenslander made it a career treble last season with Blackpool and has become an influential presence in central midfield at Bloomfield Road since his 2020 arrival.

CRITCHLEY PROVING

F

rom Premier League glamour to League One grind, fan protests and enduring receivership to the optimism accompanying 2019’s takeover, the last decade has been a tumultuous one for Blackpool.

Last season, the Seasiders began their revival. They won 15 of their final 26 League One fixtures to finish third, demolished Oxford United 6-3 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals then beat Lincoln City

His form has not gone unnoticed by the Socceroos. Dougall played three minutes of Australia’s first game back on home turf in 764 days in the goalless draw with Saudi Arabia during November’s international break and will want to add to his four international caps in the hope of earning a place at next year’s World Cup. 10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

IN THE DUGOUT

Neil Critchley DOB: 18 October 1978 Appointed: March 2020 One of only 16 coaches worldwide to have obtained UEFA’s gold standard elite badge, Critchley put it to good use during his first full season at the helm in guiding Blackpool to an unlikely promotion.

A former Crewe Alexandra Academy Manager before coaching Liverpool’s Under-18s and Under-23s, the 43-year-old put his reputation in his own hands in March 2020 in deciding to leave Anfield’s comforts for a first solo appointment.

The roll of the career dice has come up trumps. Critchley steered Blackpool from a lower mid-table League One side to Wembley glory and now his reinvigorated team are holding their own in the Championship.

G BLACKPOOL’S ROCK at Wembley to return to the Sky Bet Championship after a six-year absence.

Head Coach Neil Critchley has been the catalyst for the club’s upward trajectory, as well as being credited for the reconnect between the Lancashire side and their long-suffering fanbase.

Surpassing expectations has not ceased a level up though. The former Liverpool Under-23s boss has Blackpool ninth in the Championship table and within striking distance of another playoff assault.

With the 43-year-old’s stature in FY1 as high as the Blackpool Tower at present, it was little surprise that chairman Simon Sadler wasted no time in tying him down to a new deal earlier this month. Critchley will remain at Bloomfield Road until the summer www.bcfc.com

of 2026 and after putting pen to paper he said: “I am absolutely delighted. It has been an immensely happy time for me at Blackpool. We have already shared some success. However, we are ambitious, and I feel that we still have further development to come.”

Reacclimatising to Championship life has not been plain sailing. A difficult opening month saw just one win from a possible seven during August as a dozen summer signings settled in.

Yet a surprise success over Fulham in September galvanised the side and underlined that Blackpool were more than equipped to hold their own in the second tier.

He received the Manager of the Season trophy at the North West Football Awards for his efforts but admitted there was more to come, telling the Blackpool Gazette: “The reason why I left Liverpool was to taste senior football management, the highs and the lows on that journey.

“Winning the play-offs was a fantastic day for everyone associated with Blackpool and we wanted to kick on again in the Championship. I am a big believer in just looking after yourselves and taking control of what you can control, which is what we try to do every week.”

Critchley’s crew have won six of their next dozen games, including impressive results on the road at Middlesbrough, Reading and a narrow victory at BLUES NEWS | 11

We’re handing over our matchday advertising to local businesses like Booghe around the UK. Birmingham-based toys, games and gifts business Booghe started their journey in 2012.

With eBay seller Krishna at the helm, they supply games, toys and gifts from a huge selection of brands.

With over 4,000+ items for sale at any one time, their eBay store is brimming with goodies for the kids. The perfect products are just a click away.

eBay Booghe

Whether it’s crayons, cuddly toys, books, board games, stationery or beyond, Booghe has got something for everyone.

Throughout the season, eBay are shining a light on local businesses by handing over advertising space in stadiums up and down the country so they can once again have their voice at the heart of football.

AROUND THE GROUNDS It is nip and tuck between Championship pacesetters AFC Bournemouth and Fulham this season, as both divisional heavyweights dropped points on Wednesday evening.

Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.

There have also been some notable highlights on home turf, although wins over Barnsley and Blackburn Rovers were overshadowed by a first triumph against near neighbours Preston North End since 1997.

Critchley’s enterprising side enjoy a high press but are hard to break down.

Only two sides have scored two or more goals against them in the last ten fixtures, with captain Chris Maxwell, who was last season’s League One Golden Glove winner, or Manchester City youth Daniel Grimshaw used between the posts.

James Husband and Marvin Ekpiteta operated as centre halves in keeping West Bromwich Albion at bay on Tuesday evening, although former Derby County captain Richard Keogh also adds a wealth of experience to that position after joining from Huddersfield Town. Manchester United graduates Demetri Mitchell and Reece James, albeit departing Old Trafford five years apart, provide full-back options and Iceland international Daniel Gretarsson and Luke Garbutt, a 2020 capture from Everton, offer further expertise to a well-drilled backline.

Blackpool’s forward thrust comes from hard-working widemen. Ex-Everton youngster Josh Bowler is among the Championship’s highest-ranked wingers for most completed dribbles and down the other flank ever-present Keshi Anderson has scored three times in his last six outings.

Two former Crewe Alexandra Player of the Year winners are on loan at Bloomfield Road this season in winger www.bcfc.com

Owen Dale and Ryan Wintle, the latter often accompanying Australian international Kenny Dougall in central midfield. Alternatives include the combative Jordan Gabriel, who arrived in September from Nottingham Forest, and Kevin Stewart who boasts a career transfer-trail of £8million.

Attacking options include clinical Northern Ireland international Shayne Lavery. The 22-year-old has had a major influence since his summer switch from Linfield and has already scored eight times in his first EFL campaign. He has been supported by the well-travelled Gary Madine, a Championship scorer at four previous employers, as well as last season’s 20-goal leading scorer Jerry Yates who netted four times in three October fixtures.

Holding third-place West Brom to a goalless draw in midweek was further indication that the future is increasingly bright for the Tangerines, with plans for a new training complex and redevelopment of the stadium’s East Stand also on the horizon.

It is certainly an attractive proposition for Critchley, although he explained to the Blackpool Gazette that he will continue to drive for perfection, saying: “We’re here to improve and get better and we want to be relentless in doing that. That is the standard we try and set.

“That culture of how we improve might not be what you see on the pitch sometimes it might be off the pitch.

We’re always pushing the players to try and improve. If we do that, then we’ve shown we’re heading in the right direction. I think we can do better and we can do more.”

Dominic Solanke’s 15th goal of the season wasn’t enough for the Cherries in a 1-1 draw at Millwall, as they failed to capitalise on the leaders being denied an eighth consecutive win by rock bottom Derby County. The Cottagers are at Preston North End in today’s early kick-off, while Bournemouth welcome fourthplace Coventry City to Dorset.

Also in the division’s upper echelons Queens Park Rangers moved up to third after scoring in 30 consecutive league games with a narrow success against Huddersfield Town, and face draw specialists Derby on Monday evening. While Blackburn Rovers’ Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz struck a double in a 4-0 rout of Peterborough United and will want more of the same as Rovers attempt to leapfrog Stoke City into the play-offs when the sides clash today.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder will be eager to end his new side’s five-game winless run today with a first success of his tenure at Huddersfield, Cardiff City will attempt to score a first-half goal for the first time this season when they travel to Luton Town and Barnsley’s recently-appointed Iranian boss Poya Asbaghi is hoping to inspire his crop to a first away win in a ‘battle of the bottom three’ clash against Posh. Points-deducted Reading are also looking to stop the rot following a fifth defeat in seven games in midweek to Sheffield United.

BLUES NEWS | 13

Football is a game of many opinions, but there is one that we must all share. There is no place for discrimination in our game. If you do not agree, then you are not welcome.

If you see or hear discrimination in this stadium, please report it to the nearest steward or via the Kick it Out App. Because we are all #TogetherAgainstDiscrimination Download the Kick it Out app for free from your app store.

EFL.com

Captain

Harlee dean G

ood afternoon and welcome back to St. Andrew’s for today’s game against Blackpool.

Tuesday evening’s draw with Coventry City was another game where we had to dig in, particularly towards the end. In picking up a point, we became just the third team to come away from their stadium with anything at all and that must be recognised as a positive, particularly given the circumstances that unfolded. Coventry are a good side and were in decent form so I think it is a good point that we can carry into today.

Before Tuesday’s match, the international break was a good time for the group to get together and put some hard work in on the grass. We have knuckled down and I must give huge credit to the lads. They have grafted in the sessions and those newer, younger faces that have stepped up have freshened up the squad and I have been impressed with what they have brought whilst those who need time to recover can do so with the many experts we have at the Club.

Marcel Oakley at 18-years-old and Jordan James at 17 have shown great courage the last week when called upon at Coventry and I have nothing but respect for them. They have big boots to fill but fair play to them, they have done extremely well.

www.bcfc.com

We welcome Blackpool to B9 for the first time in six years after they returned to the Championship following their League One play-off final victory last season. They have started the campaign strongly and Neil Critchley’s men deserve credit for how they have adapted in a very difficult second tier.

They, alongside many teams, are clustered in and around mid-table. Just four points separate us and them which equates to nine places in the division. That shows how congested the league is at this time of the season, so we are expecting a competitive game against good opposition.

It has been three weeks since we have had the opportunity to play at St. Andrew’s. We are looking forward to playing in front of our home supporters again and, hopefully, sending you home happy with a result.

We ran Reading close here before the international break and we will be doing everything we can to get three points this afternoon.

Enjoy the game and thank you for your continued support.

Keep Right On, Harlee Dean

BLUES NEWS | 15

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Half a century on from the glorious 1971/72 season when Freddie Goodwin’s Blues dramatically clinched promotion to the top flight having also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, we turn the Blues News spotlight on recalling one of the finest seasons in Blues’ post-war history.

@

H

by ROB MASON

aving taken a well-earned point at leaders Norwich City seven days earlier to extend the unbeaten run to six games, and indeed one defeat in 13 games, there seemed to be no reason to fear a trip to second-top Millwall. Going into the game the Lions were the equivalent of three victories clear of Blues. Defeat at the Den would stretch the gap further and like Norwich, Millwall boasted an excellent unbeaten home record.

The Den has never been a welcoming venue for visitors.

This was especially the case in the seventies and those

Bluenoses who braved the trip had cause to regret it as by half-time the match was effectively over as Millwall raced into a 3-0 lead that would remain the final score.

Back in 1971, ‘Match of the Day’ usually showed three games. Occasionally, these featured games from outside of the top flight. So it was that Millwall’s Gordon Bolland had won the previous ‘Goal of the Month’ competition for a spectacular strike against Bristol City. He opened the scoring against Blues but with the help of a penalty.

Former Spurs and Chelsea strikers Derek Possee and Barry Bridges added to the opener and while Blues worked

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

18 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

hard to find a way back into the game there was to be no way through a resilient home rear-guard.

With Norwich held 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on the same afternoon, the rampant Lions drew level on points with the leaders. Worryingly as the half-way stage of the season approached there were now eight points for Blues to make up. Like the top three (QPR were third), Birmingham were still unbeaten at home but after 10 away games Blues were still to win on the road.

That would need to change if a promotion challenge was to be mounted.

Any promotion season involves setbacks. What matters is the response to them and next up were Fulham who came to St. Andrew’s on the back of four successive wins. Blues reacted positively. Goals from the ‘two-Bob’ duo of Latchford and Hatton provided a 2-1 interval advantage with Jimmy Conway getting Fulham’s goal. Hatton added another after the break to secure what was just a second win in ten games.

Looking to build on that and register a first away win, Blues headed to Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park at the start of December. As in the previous two away games at the division’s top two of Norwich and Millwall, a trip to Middlesbrough was daunting. At the time, Stan Anderson’s side had taken more points at home than anyone in the division and included World Cup winner Nobby Stiles. They had won nine of their 10 home games but their one defeat to Preston had been North End’s only away win so perhaps Birmingham could break their duck too. On a cold north-east day no quarter was given by either side but a breakthrough proved elusive. A goalless draw was another point on the board from a tricky trip but there was still a seven point gap to Millwall in second place.

TEAMS MILLWALL 3: King, Brown, Burnett, Dorney, Kitchener, Bolland, Possee, Smethurst, Bridges, Dunphy, Allder.

BLUES 0: Kelly, Carroll, Pendrey, Burns, Hynd, Page, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Hatton, Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 15,123 BLUES 3: Kelly, Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Burns, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Hatton, Bowker.

FULHAM 1: Webster, Brown, Callaghan, Carlton, Stephenson, Matthewson, Conway, Cross, Earle, Lloyd, Barrett.

ATTENDANCE: 25,545 MIDDLESROUGH 0: Platt, Craggs, Jones, Moody (Maddren), Boam, Gates, Laidlaw, Stiles, Hickton, McMordie, Downing.

BLUES 0: Kelly, Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Harland, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Hatton, Bowker.

ATTENDANCE: 15,671

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL As Blues lost at Millwall, Ted MacDougall was scoring nine goals in one game as Bournemouth bashed non-league Margate 11-0 in the FA Cup first round. On the same day, three other non-league clubs lost by 5-1, 6-1 and 7-1. On the day of Blues win over Fulham, George Best scored a hat-trick for Manchester United in a 5-2 win at Southampton. A few days later, Geoff Hurst and Martin Chivers were England’s scorers as Greece were beaten 2-0 while domestically Stoke centre-half Denis Smith was fined and suspended for three weeks. His crime? Smith had been booked three times in 12 months. Cautions (and dismissals) were much rarer half a century ago and that in an age when what would now be considered dangerous tackles sometimes did not even produce a free kick. www.bcfc.com

CLASS OF 71/72 BOB HATTON Blues record purchase when arriving from Carlisle for the quoted price of £80,000, striker Bob Hatton produced the goods in the shape of 15 goals in 26 league game as he ignited the promotion charge. Adding two FA Cup goals and a total of nine (including one against Birmingham) early in the season for Carlisle, the Hull born forward totalled 26 for the season – one behind Bob Latchford.

In a long and distinguished career Hatton played more games and scored more goals for Birmingham than any of his other clubs, totalling 73 goals in 218 games for Blues. Having started at Wolves, Bob played for Bolton and Northampton before Carlisle. After leaving Birmingham in 1976, he gave good service to Blackpool, Luton and Sheffield United before wrapping up his career with Cardiff City and finally Dundalk where he called time on his playing days in 1983/84.

BLUES NEWS | 19

HERE’S A ST AT I BET YOU DIDN’T KN W 20 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

OVER HALF A MILLION SKY BET CUSTOMERS USE DEPOSIT LIMITS TO MANAGE THEIR BETTING BUDGET. THAT’S ENOUGH TO FILL: 6 WEMBLEYS. 201 ALLY PALLYS. OR 8 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP DAYS. (THAT’S A LOT OF TWEED)

ALL GOOD BOOKMAKERS HAVE DEPOSIT LIMITS. SO WHOEVER YOU BET WITH, SET AN APPROPRIATE ONE FOR YOU AND THEN ENJOY THE SPORT. DEPOSIT LIMITS

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BLUES NEWS | 21

CFC Player Ambassadors The Club and Community Trust are delighted to confirm the First Team players that have committed their support to specialised roles within the local community for the 2021/2022 season as Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player Ambassadors. Supporting all of the work that the Community Trust do in the local area, having player appearances give that extra special touch to the programmes. This season some of the ambassadors are George Friend (Education 16+), Harlee Dean (Premier League Kicks) and Lukas Jutkiewicz (Premier League Primary Stars/Schools).

BCWFC Player Appearance On the 9th of November the female only Saltley football session had a surprise visit from a couple of the players from the Birmingham City Women’s Family. Louise Quinn and Layla Banaras came along to show their support and encouragement

whilst answering all sorts of questions the girls had. The reception was very well received, and the girls were in awe to see professional football to see players that they could relate and look up to. One of the participants highlighted how important it is to

see women like them playing football and to have role models that are just like them. The session was topped off with Layla, part of the RTC and Academy, jumping in and playing with the Saltley females for the remainder of the session.

Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying week took place from 15 to 19 November 2021 and had the theme, ‘One Kind Word’. The week began with Odd Socks Day which many of the staff engaged in. The week continued with students, staff and members on Twitter sharing stories all around the theme of one kind word. The week ended with Football Shirt Friday where the Community Trust staff and students raised over £100 for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK to tackle bowel cancer by wearing a football shirt of their choice.

22 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

52

20

Anna-Leigh Brooks

www.bcfc.com

23

ADAN GEORGE

50

available

CRAIG GARDNER

12

13

15

17

18

JORDAN GRAHAM

CONNAL TRUEMAN

10

11

RILEY McGREE

09

07

06

IVAN SANCHEZ

CHUKS ANEKE

MATIJA SARKIC

HARLEE DEAN

JEREMIE BELA

LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ

SCOTT HOGAN

TAHITH CHONG

RYAN WOODS

01

02

MAXIME COLIN

NEIL ETHERIDGE

04

05

GEORGE FRIEND

MARC ROBERTS

03 KRISTIAN PEDERSEN

Simon & Rosemarie Nash

27

available

NICO GORDON

available

LEE BOWYER

JUAN CASTILLO

DION SANDERSON

GARY GARDNER

available

24

available available

44 CAOLAN BOYD-MUNCE

21

TROY DEENEY

Simone Ingram available

40

36

IVAN SUNJIC Oliver Collinson Simone Ingram

54 KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS

TATE CAMPBELL

34 Simone Ingram

53

MARCEL OAKLEY

BIRMINGHAM CITY SHIRT SPONSORSHIP 2021/22 For more information regarding player shirt sponsorship please contact us on 0121 772 0101 option 3 or email Commercial@bcfc.com

available

Spotswood Facilities Management

available

available

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Simone Ingram

BLUES NEWS | 23

Match Report

Under 18s

B

lues Under-18s were beaten by Reading in the Premier League South on Saturday lunchtime.

The Royals scored three goals within the space of 17 first-half minutes at Wast Hills Training Ground to put the contest out of reach by the break.

Caylan Vickers took advantage of a spilt ball by City ‘keeper Alfie Brooks to tap home from close range in the 15th minute and Ajani Giscombe doubled the visitors’ advantage with a finish into the roof of the net five minutes later.

The Berkshire side found their third in the 32nd minute when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan rounded off a counterattack with a precise, low finish to give the hosts little chance to come away with a result.

Nonetheless, Blues remained positive and were able to find a late consolation goal through second-half substitute Ben Beresford.

Speaking to BCFC.com following the

match, Martyn Olorenshaw shared his frustration with the defeat.

He said: “A really disappointing afternoon. I thought we started the game really well and settled into what we wanted to do. We looked good and then gave away the first goal which just rocked us. From that point we just capitulated and that’s really frustrating.

“The second and the third goal were counter-attacks which we spoke about all week because we knew that that’s what they [Reading] are good at, and we didn’t stop them. It was a tough first-half and by the time you’re 0-3 down, you’re out of the game almost immediately.

“We didn’t really get the reaction that we wanted second-half so that’s disappointing.”

With a busy schedule to come before Christmas, the Lead Under-18s Coach explained what needs to be worked on to avoid similar outcomes in the near future.

“How we react to stuff, how we react

to adversity when things don’t go our way”, he said. “I just felt today the team didn’t react the way we would expect them to and want them to, so I think we just need to build on that.

“Obviously delighted with our goal and the way it came, the way we worked it.

But it’s difficult to take many positives from today.”

The defeat sees Blues in 13th place ahead of a trip to fellow West Midlands side Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend in the Premier League Cup.

by Dan Hargraves Blues: Brooks, Nguepissi, Barrett, Ogor, Patterson (Beresford 69), Oduka, Manton, Carsley, Bellingham, Rushton, Williams.

Substitutes not used: Mayo, Willis, Ellis, Mazwi.

Booking: Rushton 34, Manton 57.

Goals: Beresford 84.

George Hall signs professional contract

B

lues are thrilled to announce that George Hall has signed a professional contract with the Football Club.

The talented attacking midfielder has agreed terms with Blues as he continues his impressive development in the Second City, having initially joined the Club at the age of seven and caught the eye whilst rising through the Academy ranks.

Now aged 17, Hall has already made eight appearances between the Club’s Under-23s and Under-18s teams this season, scoring once for each side across over 500 minutes of action to date.

Such an impression saw him called up by England Under-18s in October, impressing as he featured away to the Netherlands, before further appearances this month during victories over Belgium and Portugal for Ryan Garry’s side in the Pinatar Tournament.

24 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

Darren Carter named Blues Women’s Interim Head Coach I like technical players, ones who aren’t afraid to carry the ball forward and be brave. My main aim is to create an environment that allows the players to excel and to enjoy it.

“We want to bring smiles to faces and bring that enjoyment back. If you have players who are enjoying themselves, that’s when you will get the best out of them.

“I want to make them better as players individually, which will then make us better as a team. They are a passionate group who want to get better, so we want to bring that belief back into them.

“If you can create that community and family feel to the Club, it will only help the team moving forward. We want the fans to be proud of the team and to help us succeed.”

A

fans’ favourite during his playing days for the Men’s team, Darren Carter knows all too well what it means to be a Blue and has now returned to the Club as Blues Women’s Interim Head Coach.

The 37-year-old was announced in his new role after the team’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League meeting with Chelsea and will be supported by Marcus Bignot.

Speaking on his appointment, Carter said: “For me personally, with the journey that I’m on at the moment with coaching, it was one that I couldn’t miss out on.

“It’s a chance for me to keep learning and developing as a coach, I’m delighted to be here. Whenever I come back to Blues, it feels like home.”

Bignot, who previously managed Blues Women, has returned to the Club to www.bcfc.com

work alongside Carter and will provide a wealth of experience to the current backroom team.

Commenting on the sizable contribution Bignot will bring to both the Club and team, Carter explained: “Marcus is huge in terms of his experience. He knows the Club really well and had a lot of success here with the Women’s team so to have him here is fantastic.

Tickets are on sale now for Darren Carter’s first game in charge against Manchester City and can be purchased online at www.eticketing.co.uk/bcfc/, by calling 0121 772 0101 and choosing option 2, or at the St. Andrew’s ticket office. The Main Stand ticket office will also be open on matchday from two hours prior to kick-off which is at 2pm.

“Tony [Elliott] and Daniel [Matraszek] are both good people and are passionate about what we want to do here, so we have a good team. We all want to drive the team forward and bring some success.”

In his playing days, Carter was known for his ability to carry the ball forward and create opportunities, and this matches the way he wants his team to play.

He said: “I want to be on the front foot.

BLUES NEWS | 25

Coventry City 0 0 Blues SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP | TUESDAY 23 NOVEMEBER

B

lues conjured up a spirited away performance to record their ninth clean sheet of the season as they kept play-off placed Coventry City at bay on Tuesday night in the Sky Bet Championship.

The point was a good response to defeat away at Hull City last weekend and on another day could have been more at the Coventry Building Society Arena where over 4,000 Bluenoses backed the team.

Coventry City (3-4-2-1): Simon Moore, Dom Hyam, Kyle McFadzean, Michael Rose, Fankaty Dabo, Gustavo Hamer (Jamie Allen 71), Liam Kelly (captain), Ian Maatsen, Callum O’Hare (Tyler Walker 90+1), Viktor Gyokeres, Matty Godden.

Substitutes not used: Ben Wilson, Jodie Jones, Ben Sheaf, Todd Kane, Jordan Shipley.

Lee Bowyer’s side also dealt admirably with going down to ten men for the second time in as many matches, showing superb resolve to not succumb to late Sky Blues pressure following Ryan Woods’ harsh dismissal for a foul that only seemed worthy of a yellow card.

Whilst having a string of Matija Sarkic saves and a sturdy rear-guard showing to thank for a defensive shutout, the best chance of the game arguably fell to the visitors.

Troy Deeney climbed high to meet a long free-kick, with Scott Hogan unable to keep his half-volley down after he had done well to find space inside the area.

Booking: None.

Blues (3-5-2): Matija Sarkic, Harlee Dean (captain), Marc Roberts, Dion Sanderson, Marcel Oakley (Juan Castillo 5), Ivan Sunjic, Ryan Woods, Riley McGree, Troy Deeney (Lukas Jutkiewicz 84), Jeremie Bela, Scott Hogan (Jordan James 84).

Substitutes not used: Neil Etheridge, Jobe Bellingham, Mitchell Roberts, Chuks Aneke.

Booking: Sanderson 54, Roberts 76, Woods sent off 82, Sunjic 90+2.

Referee: Leigh Doughty Attendance: 22,676 26 | BLUES NEWS

Dynamo Dion Facing a striking duo with a combined goal tally of 15 for the season is a pretty thankless task on the face of it – except nobody told Dion Sanderson.

The front-foot defender revelled in the combative nature of the challenge midweek, taking on whatever was thrown at him with a sense of control normally reserved for experienced centre-backs.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

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BLUES NEWS | 27

ROLL CALL & LEAGUE TABLE PLAYER

LEAGUE APPS GLS

FA CUP APPS GLS

LEAGUE CUP APPS GLS

CHUKS ANEKE (F)

0 (13) 1

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

POS.

P

JEREMIE BELA (F)

15 (2) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 FULHAM

18 13 2 3 33 41

JOBE BELLINGHAM (F)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 BOURNEMOUTH

18 12 4 2 20 40

TATE CAMPBELL (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

3

19

ALFIE CHANG (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

TAHITH CHONG (M)

13 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

MAXIME COLIN (D)

12 (0) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

HARLEE DEAN (D)

14 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

TROY DEENEY (F)

9 (4) 2

0 (0) 0

NEIL ETHERIDGE (G)

0 (0) 0

GEORGE FRIEND (D)

6 (0) 0

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

W

9

D

6

L

4

GD PTS

11

33

4 COVENTRY CITY

19 9 5 5 4 32

5 STOKE CITY

18 9 4 5 5 31

6 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

18 8 5 5 6 29

0 (0) 0

7 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

18 8 4 6 2 28

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

8 BLACKBURN ROVERS

18 7 6 5 2 27

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

9 BLACKPOOL

19 7 6 6 -1 27

10 MILLWALL

18 6 8 4 0 26

11 LUTON TOWN

19 6 7 6 2 25

12 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

19 6 6 7 1 24

13 SWANSEA CITY

18 6 6 6 -2 24

14

19

GARY GARDNER (M)

11 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

NICO GORDON (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN GRAHAM (M)

4 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

SCOTT HOGAN (F)

16 (1) 6

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

IVAN SANCHEZ (M)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN JAMES (M)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

JUAN CASTILLO (D)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

15 MIDDLESBROUGH

19 6 5 8 -1 23

LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ (F)

11 (7) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

16 SHEFFIELD UNITED

19 6 5 8 -3 23

CHARLIE LAKIN (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

17 BIRMINGHAM CITY

19 6 5 8 -3 23

JONATHAN LEKO (F)

1 (3) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

18 BRISTOL CITY

18 5 5 8 -8 20

RILEY MCGREE (M)

6 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

19 CARDIFF CITY

18 5 3 10 -13 18

MARCEL OAKLEY (D)

2 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 1

KRISTIAN PEDERSEN (D) 13 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

20 READING

19 7 2 10 -7 17

MITCHELL ROBERTS (D)

1 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

21 HULL CITY

18 4 3 11 -9 15

MARC ROBERTS (D)

18 (0) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

22 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

18 4 3 11 -17 15

DION SANDERSON (D)

9 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

23 BARNSLEY

18 2 5 11 -16 11

MATIJA SARKIC (G)

24 DERBY COUNTY

18 4 9 5 -2 0

19 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS (F) 0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

IVAN SUNJIC (M)

16 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

CONNAL TRUEMAN (G)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

REMI WALKER (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

RYAN WOODS (M)

13 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

www.bcfc.com

PRESTON NORTH END

6

6

7

-4

24

BLUES NEWS | 29

Fixtures & RESULTS 2021/22 DATE

KO

OPPONENT

RES

COMP

POS

ATT

STARTING XI

AUGUST Sat 07

8.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

A

1-0

LEAGUE

5

29,043

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN 1 ■

TUE 10

7.45PM

COLCHESTER UNITED

H

1-0

EFL CUP

-

6,199

TRUEMAN

OAKLEY 1

GORDON

FRIEND

CASTILLO

SUNJIC

Sat 14

3.00pm

STOKE CITY

H

0-0

LEAGUE

10

10,189

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

WED 18

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

H

0-2

LEAGUE

11

9,922

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN

CHONG

SAT 21

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

A

5-0

LEAGUE

8

10,014

SARKIC

ROBERTS 1 ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

TUE 24

7.45PM

FULHAM

H

0-2

EFL CUP

-

4,783

ETHERIDGE

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

FRIEND

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

Sat 28

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

A

1-1

LEAGUE

8

13,950

SARKIC

COLIN

DEAN

PEDERSEN

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

FRI 10

8.00pm

DERBY COUNTY

H

2-0

LEAGUE

7

14,912

SARKIC

ROBERTS ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC ■

WED 15

7.45pm

FULHAM

H

1-4

LEAGUE

10

14,562

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

SAT 18

3.00pm

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

A

0-3

LEAGUE

11

12,199

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

DEENEY

Sat 25

3.00pm

PRESTON NORTH END

H

0-0

LEAGUE

12

14,925

SARKIC

SANDERSON

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

TUE 28

7.45pm

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

A

0-2

LEAGUE

13

12,257

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

SANDERSON

COLIN

SUNJIC ■

Sat 02

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

H

0-3

LEAGUE

16

15,148

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

Sat 16

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

A

0-1

LEAGUE

16

24,870

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

Wed 20

7.45pm

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

A

0-0

LEAGUE

19

15,618

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 23

3.00pm

SWANSEA CITY

H

2-1

LEAGUE

17

16,132

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 30

3.00pm

MIDDLESBROUGH

A

2-0

LEAGUE

15

21,582

SARKIC

ROBERTS 1

SANDERSON ■

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Tue 02

7.45pm

BRISTOL CITY

H

3-0

LEAGUE

13

16,143

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

BELA

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 06

3.00pm

READING

H

1-2

LEAGUE

15

17,535

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN ■

BELA ■

ROBERTS

SUNJIC

Sat 20

3.00pm

HULL CITY

A

0-2

LEAGUE

15

12,409

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

BELA

DEAN

SUNJIC

Tue 23

7.45pm

COVENTRY CITY

A

0-0

LEAGUE

17

22,676

SARKIC

ROBERTS ■

SANDERSON ■

BELA

DEAN

SUNJIC ■

Sat 27

3.00pm

BLACKPOOL

H

GARDNER ■

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

LEAGUE

DECEMBER SAT 04

3.00pm

MILLWALL

A

LEAGUE

Sat 11

3.00pm

CARDIFF CITY

H

LEAGUE

Sat 18

3.00pm

BLACKBURN ROVERS

A

LEAGUE

Sat 26

3.00pm

FULHAM

A

LEAGUE

Tue 29

7.45pm

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

H

LEAGUE

Sat 01

3.00pm

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

H

LEAGUE

Sat 15

3.00pm

PRESTON NORTH END

A

LEAGUE

JANUARY

Sat 22

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

H

LEAGUE

Sat 29

3.00pm

DERBY COUNTY

A

LEAGUE

FEBRUARY SAT 05

3.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

H

LEAGUE

WED 09

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

A

LEAGUE LEAGUE

SAT 12

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

H

SAT 19

3.00pm

STOKE CITY

A

LEAGUE

TUE 22

8.00pm

READING

A

LEAGUE

Sat 26

3.00pm

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

H

LEAGUE

MARCH Sat 05

3.00pm

BRISTOL CITY

A

LEAGUE

Sat 12

3.00pm

HULL CITY

H

LEAGUE

TUE 15

7.45pm

MIDDLESBROUGH

H

LEAGUE

Sat 19

3.00pm

SWANSEA CITY

A

LEAGUE

APRIL sat 02

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

H

LEAGUE

sat 09

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

A

LEAGUE LEAGUE

fri 15

3.00pm

COVENTRY CITY

H

mon 18

3.00pm

BLACKPOOL

A

LEAGUE

sat 23

3.00pm

MILLWALL

H

LEAGUE

Sat 30

3.00pm

CARDIFF CITY

A

LEAGUE

12.30pm

BLACKBURN ROVERS

H

LEAGUE

Birmingham Ci ty Fo was deeply sadd otball Club ened at the passing of Berti e Auld.

A legend of Britis h Football, with success both in north of the bo England and rd a role in one of er, Auld played the Football Clu b’s most glorious er part of the Blue as and was a s squad that be at Aston Villa over two legs in the 1963 League Cu The thoughts of p final. everyone at Birmingham Ci ty family and frien are with Bertie’s ds. Rest In Peac e. rmingham Everyone at Bi vastated to City FC was de ssing of former learn of the pa rence Wilson, Te t lis ca vo UB40 Astro. Having as n ow better kn band for 30 e th in performed t to go on se s wa years, Astro t sadly lost his tour in 2022 bu ort illness on 6 battle with a sh thoughts are r Ou r. be m Nove and family ds en fri his with cult time. diffi is th during , Astro.

On t gh Keep Ri

MAY Sat 01

30 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs blackpool

SUB 1

SUB 2

SUB 3 CASTILLO (78) ■

UNUSED SUBS

WOODS ■

CHONG

BELA

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ

LEKO (68) ■

SUNJIC (74)

SANCHEZ

LAKIN

GRAHAM

LEKO

ANEKE

CAMPBELL (73)

McGREE (74)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, ANEKE, SANCHEZ

GARDNER

WOODS

BELA

HOGAN ■

JUTKIEWICZ

ANEKE (66)

LEKO (71)

GARDNER

WOODS

BELA

LEKO

JUTKIEWICZ

ANEKE (70)

HOGAN (79)

SÁNCHEZ (87)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, CASTILLO, SUNJIC TRUEMAN, FRIEND, CASTILLO, LEKO

SARKIC, BELLINGHAM, WALKER, CHANG, ROBERTS TRUEMAN, FRIEND, SÁNCHEZ, McGREE, CASTILLO

CHONG

WOODS

BELA

HOGAN 2

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ANEKE 1 (61)

SÁNCHEZ (70)

GARDNER 1 (81)

McGREE

FAMILIA-CASTILLO

LEKO

ANEKE

GRAHAM

LAKIN (61)

SIMMONDS (62)

CHANG (73)

BELA

WOODS

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ 1

CHONG

ANEKE (76)

LEKO (89)

BELA 1

WOODS

HOGAN 1

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

DEENEY (67)

GARDNER (74)

BELA

WOODS

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG ■

DEENEY 1 (53)

GARDNER (60) ■

ANEKE (75) ANEKE (58) ■

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, HOGAN, McGREE

McGREE (71)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, GRAHAM, CHANG

BELA

WOODS ■

GARDEN ■

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

SANDERSON (45)

SUNJIC (45)

BELA ■

WOODS

DEENEY

HOGAN

CHONG

ANEKE (67)

JUTKIEWICZ (68)

BELA

WOODS

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JUTKIEWICZ (56)

ANEKE (71)

TRUEMAN, BELLINGHAM, WALKER TRUEMAN, FRIEND, SÁNCHEZ, McGREE, GARDNER TRUEMAN, FRIEND, ANEKE, McGREE, SANDERSON TRUEMAN, FRIEND, McGREE, SANDERSON TRUEMAN, McGREE, GRAHAM, CHANG, OAKLEY

BELA

WOODS

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ ■

CHONG

McGREE (58)

ANEKE (58)

DEENEY (70)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, SANDERSON, GRAHAM

GARDNER

FRIEND

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

BELA (47)

ANEKE (78)

GRAHAM (83)

TRUEMAN, WOODS, DEAN, DEENEY

GARDNER

GRAHAM

McGREE ■

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

DEENEY (70)

GARDNER ■

GRAHAM

HOGAN

DEENEY 1

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McGREE 1 (63) ■

ANEKE (86)

TRUEMAN, WOODS, HOGAN, DEAN, ANEKE, SÁNCHEZ ETHERIDGE, WOODS, JUTKIEWICZ, DEAN, SÁNCHEZ

GARDNER ■

GRAHAM

HOGAN 1

DEENEY

McGREE ■

JUTKIEWICZ (67)

BELA (68)

ETHERIDGE, WOODS, ANEKE, DEAN, SÁNCHEZ

GARDNER 1

GRAHAM

McGREE 1

DEENEY

HOGAN 1

DEAN (45)

JUTKIEWICZ (73)

JAMES (84)

GARDNER

OAKLEY ■

McGREE ■

DEENEY

HOGAN 1

WOODS (69)

JUTKIEWICZ (85)

ANEKE (85)

ETHERIDGE, JAMES, FAMILIA-CASTILLO, WALKER

GARDNER ■

WOODS

McGree

DEENEY

HOGAN ■

JAMES (45)

JUTKIEWICZ (61)

ANEKE (77)

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OAKLEY

WOODS ■

McGree

DEENEY

HOGAN

FAMILIA-CASTILLO (65)

JUTKIEWICZ (86)

JAMES (86)

ETHERIDGE, ANEKE, BELLINGHAM, ROBERTS

ETHERIDGE, WOODS, ANEKE, FAMILIA-CASTILLO

Supporters

MESSAGES Clarice & Hocky Da vies. Av Gone but will foreve id Blue Noses for 70 years. r support our belov Please sing KRO ed club. loudly & passionat ely at 51 minutes today as they wa s both born in 195 1. Thank you & KR O

www.bcfc.com

y 65th wish you a Happ ns Dad, we want to m your so fro , ek we t las Birthday for and Michael.

Adrian, Martin

Happy 29th Bir thday to Ryan Ensor.

BLUES NEWS | 31

BIRMINGHAM CITY HEAD COACH: LEE BOWYER GK

NEIL ETHERIDGE 1 ■ ■

MAXIME COLIN 2 ■ ■ KRISTIAN PEDERSEN 3 ■ ■ MARC ROBERTS 4 ■ ■ GEORGE FRIEND 5 ■ ■ RYAN WOODS 6 ■ ■

TAHITH CHONG 7 ■ ■ SCOTT HOGAN 9 ■ ■ LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ 10 ■ ■

JEREMIE BELA 11 ■ ■

HARLEE DEAN 12 ■ ■ GK

MATIJA SARKIC 13 ■ ■ CHUKS ANEKE 15 ■ ■ IVAN SANCHEZ 17 ■ ■ RILEY McGREE 18 ■ ■ JORDAN JAMES 19 ■ ■

GARY GARDNER 20 ■ ■

DION SANDERSON 21 ■ ■

JUAN CASTILLO 23 ■ ■

JORDAN GRAHAM 24 ■ ■ GK

CONNAL TRUEMAN 27 ■ ■

IVAN SUNJIC 34 ■ ■

TROY DEENEY 36 ■ ■

JOBE BELLINGHAM 39 ■ ■

ADAN GEORGE 40 ■ ■ CAOLAN BOYD-MUNCE 44 ■ ■

NICO GORDON 50 ■ ■

KYLE HURST 51 ■ ■

MARCEL OAKLEY 52 ■ ■

TATE CAMPBELL 53 ■ ■

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS 54 ■ ■

NEXT UP AT ST. ANDREW’S CARDIFF CITY SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 2021 KICK-OFF 3PM

BLACKPOOL HEAD COACH: NEIL CRITCHLEY

■ ■ 1 CHRIS MAXWELL GK ■ ■ 2 CALLUM CONNOLLY ■ ■ 3 JAMES HUSBAND ■ ■ 4 JORDAN GABRIEL ■ ■ 5 REECE JAMES ■ ■ 6 KEVIN STEWART ■ ■ 7 OWEN DALE ■ ■ 8 RYAN WINTLE ■ ■ 9 JERRY YATES ■ ■ 10 KESHI ANDERSON ■ ■ 11 JOSH BOWLER ■ ■ 12 KENNY DOUGALL ■ ■ 13 STUART MOORE GK ■ ■ 14 GARY MADINE ■ ■ 15 DEMETRI MITCHELL ■ ■ 16 SONNY CAREY ■ ■ 17 MATTY VIRTUE ■ ■ 18 GRANT WARD ■ ■ 19 SHAYNE LAVERY ■ ■ 20 OLIVER CASEY ■ ■ 21 MARVIN EKPITETA ■ ■ 22 CJ HAMILTON ■ ■ 23 DANIEL LEO GRETARSSON ■ ■ 24 JOE NUTTALL ■ ■ 26 RICHARD KEOGH ■ ■ 27 OLIVER SARKIC ■ ■ 28 TYREECE JOHN-JULES ■ ■ 29 LUKE GARBUTT ■ ■ 32 DANIEL GRIMSHAW GK ■ ■ 35 DUJON STERLING

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE MATTHEW DONOHUE ASSISTANT REFEREE PAUL HODSKINSON ASSISTANT REFEREE PHILIP DERMOTT 4TH OFFICIAL JAMES BELL